Most students are either prohibited from working or choose not to work during their first year of law school. However, by your second year, you should have a solid grasp on the work load and expectations that come with being a law student and may consider supplementing your living allowance with a part time job. One caveat that law students should be aware of is that the legal market is incredibly competitive at this point in time. Therefore, finding a paying legal job may be incredibly difficult, but it can be done. Here are some tips on securing legal employment while you are in law school.
1. Check with your career services office. This office usually maintains a list of law firms that are seeking first, second or third year students to work part-time in their offices. If you are able to find a position that is interesting to you, send a well written cover letter, updated resume and a copy of your transcript to the hiring partner at the firm. Some firms will also request a writing sample and a list of references.
2. Check to see if your law school’s library is hiring. Most law libraries will hire students to work the reception desk, help students with legal research and re-shelve books. This positions don’t pay much, usually between $10 and $15 dollars per hour, but you are usually able to work on class assignments during your down time.
3. Send letters to firms that you are interested in working for to inquire if they have a need for a law clerk or intern. Many students are able to find work using this method. Even if you can’t get a paying position, consider taking an internship to gain valuable experience and make network contacts, especially if the firm practices in areas that interest you. Some students are offered full time jobs after graduation because of unpaid work that they performed for a firm during law school-so do not quickly discount this option, it may pay off in the long run.
4. Write letters to local judges. These jobs typically do not pay well, if at all, but the experience that you get interning at the court house will be valuable when it comes time to applying for full time attorney positions after graduation. You may even have the opportunity to participate in drafting published opinions which is an incredible resume booster.
5. Sign up to become a Bar Bri representative. You won’t get paid while you are in law school, but you will get to take the Bar Bri course for free while you are studying for the bar exam. Last year, Bar Bri tuition was around $4,000. As a Bar Bri representative, you’ll need to sit at a desk in your law school’s common area for an hour or two each week. Again, you can usually work on class work while manning the Bar Bri table.
6. Offer to become a professor’s research assistant. These jobs usually pay between $10 and $15 dollars per hour. The pay off is that you have an instant source for recommendation letters when the time comes to apply for full time attorney positions after law school or get a summer associate position after your first or second year. Professors also usually have quite a few contacts within the legal community and are usually willing to put in a good word for their research assistants.
7. Network like crazy. Offer to work at CLE’s to meet local attorneys and attend bar association events. Always have a copy of your resume on hand to give out if the opportunity presents itself. You may even consider having business cards made up to give out to each new contact that you meet. Most lawyers are willing to help you if they can or pass your information on if they hear about an opening. Make an effort to stay in contact with each new networking contact that you make.
